Suspect says bracelet proves innocence

UPI News Service, 01/05/2008

An auto dealership burglary suspect in a Minneapolis suburb claims innocence because his ankle monitor would have alerted authorities if he strayed from home.

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Eden Prairie police, however, said they aren't so sure, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Saturday. They are trying to determine whether Brandon Anthony Jones circumvented the electronic device -- especially since his fingerprints were found in the stolen vehicle.

When detectives questioned Jones about the break-in, he told them "it would have been impossible for him to commit the burglary because under home monitoring, he can barely go to his mailbox without being out of range from the home monitoring base," Eden Prairie police officer Steve Velner wrote in an affidavit.

The burglary occurred June 2. Police learned Jones was wearing the home-monitoring ankle bracelet from April 24 to June 6.

Tim Cleveland, deputy director of community corrections in Dakota County, said offenders who wear the home-monitoring ankle bracelets as part of a sentence or probation can have the opportunity to leave home without setting off alarms, generally if they work or must attend counseling sessions.